A middleware for interfacing with simulation systems of multi-agent models

As multi-agent systems (MAS) are used increasingly often to solve larger and more complex problems, distributed simulation is emerging as the only viable approach to cope with the resultant increased scale and complexity of MAS. While different methods have been proposed for distributing these simulations, the problem of interfacing a MAS with these distributed methods remains just as important. In this paper we use the PDES-MAS framework as a solution for distributing the MAS and propose a Middleware as an interface between MAS and the PDES-MAS framework. The Middleware supports designing and writing a MAS, translates interactions between the shared state of agents to events that the PDES-MAS framework can handle, and offers a number of commonly used services in a MAS. Practical experience with the Middleware thusfar has shown it to be an adaptable and efficient solution for designing and implementing different MAS.